Read time: 2.5 minutes

Imagine pouring your heart and soul into achieving your one big dream:

• A fancy car.

• Societal validation.

• A booming business.

You finally reach it...

But something feels off.

Sounds strange, right?

But millions fall victim to this trap every year.

This week we'll explore the "Success trap" and uncover a powerful shift, helping you live a fulfilled life.

Let's get straight to it...

Start defining what success means to you!

Defining what success means to you is vital.

But, here's where most people get it wrong:

They are defining their success as a tangible result or look.

They define their success by:

• Having a set amount of money.

• Having a successful business.

• Owning their dream car.

• Winning trophies.

This approach has a major flaw!

You are asking yourself:

"What does success LOOK like to me?"

It’s external circumstances that drive this materialistic view.

Yet, externalities like wealth, business success, possessions, and accolades are often beyond your immediate control.

So, your interpretation of success becomes influenced by what you have and how you look.

This ignores the most important aspect of defining success…

Who you are and how you feel on the inside.

There's a clear perspective shift here:

From an external-driven and uncontrollable view of success.

To an internal-driven and controllable view of success.

After all...

Success is not a certain look, but rather a state of mind.

So, true success starts with asking yourself:

"What does success FEEL like to me?"

Think about it…

Your happiness and mentality are what matter most.

It's how things make you feel that’s important, not what they are!

Let's delve deeper into this perspective:

Why internal success matters most:

1) The Hedonic Treadmill:

Chasing materialistic goals often leads to the "hedonic treadmill".

You experience ups and downs when pursuing an external version of success.

But despite your happiness levels rising and falling, how you feel as a whole tends to move back to where it was prior to your experiences anyway.

That’s the concept of the hedonic treadmill.

In other words…

You are continually seeking more beyond yourself without a lasting increase in happiness.

So defining your success by external markers becomes a goal you can never reach!

2) Inner Fulfillment vs. External Validation:

Consider individuals who gain external success but struggle with internal fulfillment.

Celebrities with vast fortunes and fame often feel this way.

I could list out names.

But let’s just say, it’d be a very long list.

With this in mind, always remember this:

Balance external achievements with internal fulfilment.

Don’t let a vision of external success control you.

3) The Paradox of Choice:

Having numerous external markers of success can lead to decision fatigue and stress.

In fact, an abundance of choices limits your happiness.

So, defining success by your internal state simplifies decision-making.

It creates a sense of contentment.

And there’s an added bonus too:

It’s easier to control and leaves you with greater satisfaction.

Moral of the story:

True success is found in your internal state of mind, thoughts, and feelings,

Not the look of your external environment and the situation you find yourself in.

So...

STOP asking yourself:
"What does success LOOK like to me?"

And instead…

START asking yourself:
"What does success FEEL like to me?"

In doing so, you'll discover that the joy of success lies in the journey of self-discovery and the authentic emotions that come with it.

And on that note:

Until this time next week,

Ryan